Colbert Says Mendenhall Likely To Start 2012 On PUP & No Decision Made Yet On Ward

Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert has been giving interviews over the last few days and Scott Brown from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Ed Bouchette from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette are reporting some of the things that Colbert said to them today. First off in regards to running back Rashard Mendenhall, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the season finale against the Cleveland Browns, Colbert told reporters that there is a good chance Mendenhall won\’t be ready for start of 2012 season and will open season on PUP list. Bouchette passed along a quote where Colbert said, “I never feel good about an ACL for a year.” Despite Mendenhall possibly being sidelined to start the year, Colbert stated that the running back position is not necessarily one of need.

In regards to the ongoing Hines Ward situation, Colbert told reporters that indeed no decision has been made in regard to Ward\’s future with the team. This of course was in response to the report that Jason La Canfora had on Friday night that the Steelers would not be bringing back Ward in 2012. Ward will be 36 years old and took to Facebook immediately to reiterate his want to return in 2012 with the Steelers and his willingness to restructure his contract to do so.

As far as free agency goes with the Steelers, Colbert reportedly said that the team won\’t sign any of their own free agents before start of free agency on March 13 as they work to get under the salary cap. In regards to restricted free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace, Colbert told reporters that they could use the franchise tag on him, but reiterated that signing him to a long-term deal is a priority.